AirAsia Flight 8501 search and rescue operation update

Indonesia AirAsia flight QZ8501, from Surabaya to Singapore, was enroute over the Java Sea when radar and radio contact was lost with the aircraft while it was deviating around weather.

(30th January 2015)

The search and rescue (SAR) operations by Makassar’s SAR team continued to be carried out today. Two SAR vessels from Makassar and Balikpapan, 1 sea rider, as well as 1 CASA C-212 aircraft owned by the National Air Force based in Makassar were mobilized this morning to observe the sea, in vicinity of Majene, West Sulawesi and Pinrang, South Sulawesi. Local fishermen were also deployed in order to locate more passengers and objects from the QZ 8501 aircraft.

Last night (29/01) and earlier this morning, local residents located three additional remains – which were suspected to be that of QZ 8501 passengers – on the shoreline of Majene and Pinrang. The remains that were recovered last night had been transported to Surabaya for identification purposes while the two others found this morning are still in Makassar. In addition, local fishermen located several objects which were suspected to be wreckage of the plane and passengers’ belongings.

To date, BASARNAS has confirmed to have recovered a total of 76 remains of which 60 remains have been identified by DVI POLRI, 14 remains are still being identified and 2 remains have yet to arrive at Bhayangkara Hospital, Surabaya.

(24th January 2015)

The search and rescue (SAR) operations continued this morning with good weather and the SAR vessels were mobilized to observe the focus search area and SAR divers were deployed into the sea in order to prepare the floating mission by attaching the lifting bags on the wreckage.

Earlier today, SAR teams were able to recover 4 additional passengers from inside the fuselage wreckage. The four passengers along with the two remaining remains that were recovered yesterday have arrived in Surabaya this afternoon for further identification purposes.

The Disaster Victim Identification Police Department Republic of Indonesia (DVI POLRI) announced that there is no identification release today. DVI POLRI team is currently gathering additional ante-mortem data toward the remaining passengers that are being identified at Bhayangkara Hospital.

To date, BASARNAS has confirmed to have recovered a total of 69 remains of which 50 remains have been identified by DVI POLRI, 19 remains are still being identified.

(23rd January 2015)

The search and rescue (SAR) operation continued this morning with marginally better weather and sea conditions which allowed for SAR vessels and divers to further observe the focus search area where the fuselage wreckage is located.

Today, SAR divers confirmed to have recovered six additional passengers located inside of the fuselage wreckage on the Java Sea floor.

Meanwhile in Surabaya, the Disaster Victim Identification Police Department Republic of Indonesia (DVI POLRI) announced that three passenger have been identified: Susiyah (female), Naura Kanita Rosada Suseno (female), Soesilo Utomo (male). In addition, DVI POLRI also confirmed to have received ten additional remains at Bhayangkara Hospital, which were flown from Pangkalan Bun, Central Borneo this afternoon for further identification purposes.

To date, BASARNAS has confirmed to have recovered a total of 65 remains of which 50 remains have been identified by DVI POLRI, 13 remains are still being identified and 2 remains have yet to arrive at Bhayangkara Hospital, Surabaya.

(22nd January 2015)

The search and rescue operation of QZ 8501 passengers continued around the primary search area. However, tough sea conditions remains to be the main challenge for the SAR team.

Earlier today, the SAR team confirmed to have recovered six additional passengers from the aircraft fuselage wreckage on the Java Sea floor. The six passengers’ remains have arrived in Pangkalan Bun, Central Borneo and will be flown to Surabaya (Bhayangkara Hospital) for identification purposes. The SAR operations will continue to observe the fuselage wreckage, where it is suspected that more passengers will be found.

The Disaster Victim Identification Police Department Republic of Indonesia (DVI POLRI) announced that there is no identification release today. DVI POLRI team is currently gathering additional ante-mortem data toward the remaining passengers that are being identified at Bhayangkara Hospital.

To date, BASARNAS has confirmed to have recovered a total of 59 remains of which 47 remains have been identified by DVI POLRI, 6 remains are still being identified and 6 remains have yet to arrive at Bhayangkara Hospital, Surabaya.

(21st January 2015)

SAR vessels and divers were mobilized today in order to observe the seafloor, searching for more passengers around the primary focus area. The aircraft fuselage wreckage has yet to be lifted due to continually challenging sea conditions. No additional recoveries were reported today.

The Disaster Victim Identification Police Department Republic of Indonesia (DVI POLRI) announced that one passenger has been identified as: David Hartono (male). AirAsia Indonesia officially handed over the passenger remains to the family this afternoon.

To date, BASARNAS has confirmed to have recovered a total of 53 remains of which 47 remains have been identified by DVI POLRI, 6 remains are still being identified at Bhayangkara Hospital, Surabaya.

(20th January 2015)

The search and evacuation mission of QZ 8501 led by the National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) Republic of Indonesia continued today despite the rain in the focus search area.

SAR vessels were on standby around the focus search area where the aircraft fuselage was found. SAR divers have been deployed to examine the site where more passengers are suspected to be trapped under the wreckage.

In addition, the SAR team also received additional equipment such as 12 additional lifting bags that will be utilized to support the mission to float the aircraft fuselage wreckage. However, the exact timing for the floating mission will depend on weather conditions. No additional passenger recoveries were reported today.

Meanwhile in Surabaya, the Disaster Victim Identification Police Department Republic of Indonesia (DVI POLRI) announced that one passenger has been identified as : Andreas Widjaja (male).

To date, BASARNAS has confirmed to have recovered a total of 53 remains of which 46 remains have been identified by DVI POLRI, 7 remains are still being identified.

(19th January 2015)

The search and recovery mission continued today as the sea divers began to descend in the Java Sea floor to observe the fuselage wreckage this morning. During the dive, SAR divers were able to recover more debris such as passenger windows, seats and other interior parts believed to be from the QZ 8501 aircraft from the seafloor. However, the floating mission continued to behampered due to high waves and adverse weather conditions. No additional passenger recoveries were reported today.

Meanwhile, the two passengers that were recovered yesterday were flown from Pangkalan Bun to Surabaya this afternoon and arrived at Bhayangkara Hospital at 16.20 HRS LT for identification purposes.

The Disaster Victim Identification Police Department Republic of Indonesia (DVI POLRI) announced that there is no identification release today. DVI POLRI team is currently gathering more DNA evidence toward theremaining passengers.

To date, BASARNAS has confirmed to have recovered a total of 53 remains of which 45 remains have been identified by DVI POLRI, 8 remains are still being identified.

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